The space shuttle reaches orbit after only 8 minutes (min) and a half! However, launch is one of the most dangerous moment of the mission. Marc Garneau will be Flight Engineer during that time as he will support the Commander and the Pilot of the shuttle. Another first for Canada!

4. True of false: In order to reach the ISS the shuttle must travel for two days?

True. During the two first flight days, periodic small engine firings will gradually bring the shuttle to a point eight nautical miles behind the International Space Station (ISS) on docking day, the starting point for a final approach to the Station.

5. The Sun, what it is made of?

The Sun is mainly made of hydrogen, the lightest and the most spread-out element of all the known ones within the Universe.

The Shuttle and the Canadarm

6. What is the name of the robotic arm that Marc Garneau will be using to deploy the solar panels?

Developed by a Canadian industrial team, this unique tool, which flew for the first time in 1981, is known as the Remote Manipulator System or more commonly as the Canadarm.

7. Aboard which space shuttle Marc is travelling?

Marc Garneau will be travelling to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour.

8. How fast does Sunlight travel?

It travels at 300 000 kilometre (km) every second. Nothing known can travel faster than that! Phew! That's fast!

9. Is solar energy needed on Earth?

It is so needed that without it, we would not have life on Earth (no plants, no animals, no humans!) Can you image life within any Sun? Brrr!

10. What is a solar captor?

Solar captor simply refers to the instrument that gathers the solar energy and transforms it into an other form of energy, like electricity or heat. Do you know what kind of energy heats your home?

The International Space Station (ISS)

11. How much energy does the International Space Station (ISS) need to power all its systems?

Once completed, the International Space Station (ISS) will be equipped of four pairs of solar panels measuring 70 metres (m) by 10 metres (m) from tip to tip, which will extend beyond the Station's main body like the wings of a bird in flight. When the Station has been fully assembled, the total electric power system will generate 110 kilowatts (kW) in total—roughly equivalent to the amount of energy typically consumed by 55 houses.

12. How many sunrises will an astronaut see every 24 hours (hr) on board the Station?

Astronauts aboard the Station will be able to admire 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets every 90 minutes (min)!

13. How many Canadian houses could the Station power if you know that a Canadian house uses 100 Amp of electricity and the Station will produces close to 110 kilowatts (kW) of electricity?

To transform amps in kilowatts (kW), you need to multiply them by 110 volts (v).

The Sun is hot because of its gigantic size (its diameter is 110 times as big as that of the Earth). This creates an enormous pressure in its mass and produces very high temperature: up to 15 million (M) degrees Celsius in its core and 5 700 at the surface. Ouch! That's hot! Compare this temperature to that of your oven.

15. What is the Canada's main contribution used for building and maintaining the International Space Station (ISS)?

Canada, known for its expertise in robotics, has developed a next generation robotic arm for the International Space Station (ISS). The Station Remote Manipulator System will be essential during the assembly operations for the Station as well as its daily maintenance.

Solar Energy

16. What is a photovoltaic cell?

A photovoltaic cell is a solar cell, a device that directly converts the sunlight into electricity.

17. What are the dimensions of a solar panel?

It all depends. A solar panel can be very tiny or, as it is the case of the Space Station (ISS), very large. Once completed, the Station will be powered by four sets of solar panels that will measure 70 metres (m) long by 10 metres (m) wide.

18. How many solar panels will be installed by the STS-97 crew?

The STS-97 crew will install one set of solar panels. In total, the Station will be powered by four such sets.

19. When was the first element of the International Space Station (ISS)?

The Russian module Zarya, which means "sunrise" in Russian, was launched in space November 20, 1998 from Russia onboard a Proton rocket.

20. Why is Earth the only planet of the solar system to be inhabited?

Because water is a crucial element to sustain life and Earth is the only planet that has a surface temperature permitting water to stay in a liquid state.

The Planets

21. What is the family of celestial elements orbiting the Sun called?

The solar system. It is made up of planets, satellites, comets and asteroids.

The North Star is not a planet of the solar system. This star shows where the north is since it is located almost directly over the terrestrial North Pole.

23. What is a star?

A star is a celestial element made up of gas which burns at a very high temperature. Stars irradiate light and warmth.

24. What is a galaxy?

A galaxy is a gathering of billions (B) of stars, gas and interstellar dust. There are billions (B) of galaxies in the Universe such as the Milky Way in which the solar system and Earth can be found.

25. What is an atom?

An atom is the smallest unity of matter. It is composed of even smaller particles called "protons", "neutrons" (which forms the core of the atom), and "electrons" (which "orbit" the core).

Becoming an Astronaut

26. Why do astronauts train in a large swimming pool?

Because water is the environment that most nearly resembles the weightlessness astronauts must learn to cope with in space.

27. What role does a mission specialist (MS2) play?

As a Mission Specialist 2 (MS2), Marc Garneau will be part of the command crew, assisting the commander and the pilot of the Shuttle in the cockpit for the crucial eight and a half minutes during the launch of the Shuttle Endeavour. Marc Garneau is the first Canadian to do that job. Cool, eh?

28. What can you do to maximize your chances of being selected as a Canadian astronaut?

Start by earning at least one advanced degree in science or engineering; become proficient in more than one discipline; master the art of public speaking, preferably in both official languages (English and French); take part in community activities; maintain your physical fitness; acquire a background of knowledge in aerospace topics; obtain experience as a pilot, parachute jumper and scuba diver; and consider working for an aerospace company during school breaks to get hands-on experience.

29. Can you name at least two different fields that the astronauts need to study?

Astronauts need to learn about all sorts of subjects related to space missions and ground activities, such as astronomy, photography, life support in microgravity, radio communications, Earth observation, geology, oceanography, public relations and first-aid techniques.

30. Are there any good career opportunities in the field of space?

Pretty good, actually! For example, you could pursue studies in engineering, robotic technology, technical writing, physics, biology – or even become an astronaut! See our "Careers in Space" section for further details.

Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)

31. What is the universe?

The universe is the vast space in which we can observe natural phenomena related to all forms of matter – from the tiniest atom to the most gigantic galaxy!

Energy is a property of a system that makes things happen. There are seven major forms of energy: electrical, radiant, thermal, hydraulic, mechanical, chemical and nuclear. Can you give examples of devices powered by each of these forms of energy?

32. What is energy?

Energy is a property of a system that makes things happen. There are seven major forms of energy: electrical, radiant, thermal, hydraulic, mechanical, chemical and nuclear. Can you give examples of devices powered by each of these forms of energy?

33. What is the lightest and most abundant element found in the universe?

Hydrogen. The Sun produces masses of hydrogen as it consumes itself.

34. What are the Northern Lights (Aurora borealis)?

The Northern Lights or Aurora borealis are a celestial display of light that is frequently visible in the Polar Regions. This beautiful light show is caused by electric particles emitted by the Sun hitting the upper atmosphere of the Earth. In Canada, the Aurora borealis is often seen in the northern sky on cool autumn nights.

35. What is light?

Light is a form of energy made up of electromagnetic waves that can be seen with the naked eye. The waves move around in a pattern similar to the way wavelets ripple in a pond when you skip a stone on the water.

Plasma

36. What is plasma?

Plasma is a super hot ionised gas.

37. True of false: two positive elements will attract each other?

False only opposites attract.

38. Which of these does not contain plasma? Lightning, hot flames, the sun, water or stars.

Water does not contain plasma.

39. What is Marc's role for this spacewalk?

Marc will once again choreograph and act as back-up for Tanner and Noriega's third Extravehicular Activity (EVA). They will be installing a potential probe experiment on top of the P6 to measure plasma in the environment around the Station.

40. Can you name types of scientific experiments that will be performed on the International Space Station (ISS)?

Microgravity sciences to understand the laws of physics and chemistry by use of the weightlessness of space; space life sciences, to study the changes and adaptations of human physiology in the weightlessness of space.

The Sun

41. How big is the sun?

The Sun is so large that a million (M) Earths could fit inside. All the same, the Sun is considered a star of average size!

42. What protects us from Sun's rays?

The ozone layer protects us by absorbing a substantial proportion of the Sun's most dangerous ultraviolet rays.

43. What is the life expectancy of the Sun?

The Sun is a middle-aged star that will probably shine for another 5 billion (B) years.

44. True or false: the Sun is a Star.

True. A star is a ball of extremely hot gases. The centre of a star resembles an immense nuclear furnace in which hydrogen is converted into helium through the emission of enormous quantities of energy. The energy radiates in the form of light and heat. The planets appear to be luminous because they reflect light from the Sun.

Living and Working in Space

47. Why do astronauts have to exercise on long duration space flights?

If an astronaut does not exercise in space he or she will lose muscle tone and will have a harder time doing simple things like walking when back on Earth.

48. What will the International Space Station (ISS) used for?

Once operational, the Space Station will provide Canadian scientists, engineers and astronauts with a platform for experiments in areas of biotechnology, engineering, Earth observation and telecommunications. It will also serve as a launch pad for the exploration of other planets including Mars.

49. How many hours (hr) in a day does an astronaut have for free time?

A typical day for astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) consists of 14 hours (hr) of work (including planning sessions, physical exercise, and activities before and after rest period and mission operations) 1,5 hours (hr) for meals and 8,5 hours (hr) for rest.

50. How long will an astronaut be able to stay on the International Space Station (ISS)?

Four months was chosen as the length of time astronauts can stay on the International Space Station (ISS). Shuttle missions last approximately 16 days, limiting the time allotted for experiments. A four-month period will prove to be useful and is sufficient to perform more research and experiments. Another factor used to consider for the amount of time an astronaut can stay in space, is the amount of time they can handle being away from their friends and family.

Spaceship Earth

51. How far is the Sun from the Earth?

The Sun is 150 million (M) kilometres (km) from the Earth - not exactly next door! It looks so big and luminous because it's much nearer Earth than the other stars. Do you know how far the next nearest star is from the Earth? 40,000 billion (M) kilometres (km)!

52. How long does it take for a particle of energy to reach the Earth?

It takes about 8 minutes (min) for a particle of energy to reach the Earth. The Sun is 150 million(M) kilometres (km) from the Earth. Light travels at a speed of 300,000 kilometres (km) per second (or 18 million (M) kilometres (km) per minute (min)). So if you divide 150 million (M) kilometres (km) by 18 million (M) kilometres (km) per minute (min), you get approximately 8.3 minutes (min).

53. What revolves around the Sun?

The height planets in the Solar System (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune) revolve around the Sun.

54. What is gravity?

The Earth exerts a force of attraction that keeps objects and people attached to its surface. Objects fall toward the Earth because the force of gravity attracts them. For example, if you throw a ball up to the sky, it falls back down to Earth (or into your hand!) We owe it all to gravity.

55. Can you name three similarities between the Earth and the International Space Station (ISS)?

Here are three similarities – if you can find any others, please let us know and we'll add them to the list along with your name.

Just as you sleep, eat and go to school on Earth, astronauts sleep, eat and work on the International Space Station (ISS) – which is like a small planet Earth!

On Earth, plants, animals and humans all need the energy they get from the Sun. It is the same on board the Space Station. The Sun provides the energy for lighting and heating the Space Station; it also powers all the different systems on board.

The various parts of the Space Station are insulated by a heat shield that provides protection from extreme temperature shifts. The Earth has its own heat shield – the ozone layer, which provides protection from the Sun's rays.